The MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA) Advisory Board met on Monday, June 28, 2021, at 11:00 am at the call of Joseph Nolan, Advisory Board Chair/Wayland. Due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting was held virtually, with Advisory Board members and the public provided access via global.gotomeeting.com.
A roll call of members present was conducted, in attendance were: Ed Burman/Ashland-Vice Chair, Thatcher Kezer/Framingham, Larry Jacobs/Holliston, Carole Mullen/Hopedale, Sandy Lasky, for Debra Galloway/Sudbury- Clerk, Joseph Nolan/Wayland - Chair, Colette Aufranc/Wellesley.
Also participating: Paul Spooner/MetroWest Center for Independent Living (MWCIL), Linda Marshall/Holliston, Ed Carr/Administrator, Eva Willens/Deputy Administrator, John Glynn/CFO, Patrick Moynihan/General Counsel, Daniel Fitch/IT Consultant, Joy Glynn/Grants Manager, Paula Doucette/ Financial Assistant, Emily Van Dewoestine/Director of Fixed Route, Intermodal and Marketing, Rebecca Bessa/Director of Travel Training and Community Relations, Chase Modestow, Coordinator of Business Communications & Development.
Not participating: Dover/Advisory Board designee TBD, Mary Jo Lafreniere/Hopkinton., Kristina Johnson/ Hudson, Trish Pope/Marlborough, Michael Walsh/Milford, Karen Adelman-Foster/Natick, Martin Healey/Southborough, John K. Higley/Sherborn, Jean MacQuiddy/Weston.
With a quorum declared present, the meeting was called to order at 11:02 am with Chair Joseph Nolan, presiding.
Amendment #1: Wellesley representative – Ms. Aufranc’s first name was spelled incorrectly. Amendment #2: During the previous meeting, Ms. Aufranc mentioned that the cost of the cyber insurance premium added in part, to the increased amount of insurance in the budget.
A motion was made by Mr. Burman of Ashland: Approval of minutes from the Advisory Board Meeting of April 26, 2021 as amended. Second by Ms. Aufranc of Wellesley. The vote passed.
Mr. Nolan requested any public comments from the audience. No public comments were presented.
Mr. Carr indicated that the MWRTA is reacting to the lifting of requirements, as the State reopens. He also mentioned that this was the last board meeting of FY21 and that FY22 represents the 15th year of the MWRTA.
1) The MicroTransit Pilot Project in Wellesley began in October of 2020. The pilot was created to substitute the low usage of fixed route service in the town and increase public transportation interest.
We know it can work and want to implement expansion of the service and helping our contractor in providing the necessary driver staffing, which we will discuss later in the meeting. Our On Demand App based Catch Connect expansion of service will begin this summer. This will be a pilot service for the general public on Saturdays and Sundays in the Golden Triangle area of Framingham and Natick. This will allow us to observe first mile/last mile service connections to fixed route on Saturdays in the Natick Mall and Shopper’s World area and will make available Sunday Service to the general public. One vehicle will be focused on the Golden Triangle area and the others will allow for connections to downtown Natick and Framingham on a first come, first served basis. This service area was determined with the assistance of the Central Transportation Planning Staff (CTPS), examining existing ridership and vehicle travel patterns in our region. This new pilot service data will be helpful in determining future evening hours and new service regions on MicroTransit, as well as potential expansion in Wellesley, dependent on ridership demand and driver resource availability.
2) Replenishment of MWRTA staff.
3) Rebecca Bessa, Travel Training, Community Relations and increased Council on Aging relationships.
4) Chase Modestow, Development of Travel Management Association (TMA) services.
5) Developing a manual for new Advisory Board Members.
6) All-day retreat for members, to be scheduled in September.
7) Ms. Pope, of Marlborough, expressed interest in MetroWest Center for Independent Living (MWCIL), to represent Marlborough Disability Community.
8) Fare discussion.
Mr. Carr indicated that there were three Fare Subcommittee meeting minutes in the board members packages. Options:
1) No fares for approximately 6 months; MWRTA has CARES and CRSSA funds, ARPA split letter ($5- 6M) pending. Implementation would not occur prior to October 2021. Need to make up for $600K in annual lost fares. Chase will be reaching out to partner with the businesses in our service area to increase awareness of available commuter services. We could apply for grant funds for fares. Talk to representatives/legislatures to discuss tax implementation for fares.
2) Reinstitute the prior Fare Policy. With the exception of MicroTransit, the fares are listed on the website. If selected, the implementation date would be October 1st.
3) Post pandemic fare structure: this option involves a lot of technology. Fare system that is technology driven. We were depending on the MBTA fare system to be available at this time, yet it is not. Mr. Fitch has created some cutting-edge technology and may be able to implement additional technology if implementation could be after October 1st.
Mr. Carr stated that the matter could also be tabled for further discussion at the next meeting in the Fall.
The Administrator has a no fare preference and reminded the Advisory Board that one of its primary statutory responsibilities is to set the fares for the Authority.
MicroTransit would be one of the easiest fares to collect as folks have to register for the service and fares would be collected electronically.
Ms. Mullen from Hopedale: Where do the funds come from for the no fare system? How difficult would it be going forward if we adopt a no fare system? Mr. Carr: Several state legislatures (Senator Boncore and Emeritus Senator Chandler of Worcester) are talking about no fares. Merrimack Valley’s no fare pilot program tripled ridership. No fares collected on fixed bus routes would also include no fares collected on demand response service within that same area. Mr. Carr also mentioned that reduced fares for economically challenged riders could be accomplished by working with social service agencies to purchase bus passes.
Ms. Aufranc: The approximate 20 plus riders currently using the MicroTransit service in Wellesley are transit dependent and include disabled and low-income individuals. Using those potential fares for a revenue source would not be fair. Wellesley is reaching out to the COA, Chamber of Commerce and other departments to increase ridership. Would it be beneficial to have one card infrastructure for everything? Keep the fare similar to our neighboring towns at $2.00 and try to provide low-income people with an affordable fare structure. Still some work/technology to be done involving fares.
Mr. Nolan: Would not want to charge for MicroTransit at this time if it could become a deterrent to current riders using the service. Do we want to take a motion?
Mr. Kezer: Advocated continuation of no fares as the economy comes out of COVID. Somebody has to pay for the system. Prefer we do have a fare system so that those who have the ability to pay, should pay and want to have a mechanism to fine tune the system so that those who do not have the ability to pay can be adjusted. Would like to use available funds to get out of the cash system, invest in the technology that provides us the flexibility to have additional revenues or discounts, and technology to support the system.
Obtain needed information for ridership, then we can have a basis for conversation with the corporations who have the need for employee transportation and the means to help pay for it.
Mr. Nolan: Options 2 – 3 we may need to have another discussion. What is the Administrator’s preference? The need to pay, but some cannot pay would be then either #2 or #3. If the board wants technology, then #3. If you want to go fare free, we have more work to do.
Mr. Carr clarified that a delay in a fare decision to the next meeting in September, would push out the ability to start collecting fares in October. It would not provide enough time to release the product by then.
Mr. Carr explained that MicroTransit is in place to support fixed route. Philosophically, we want to connect the dots to a fixed route. We want to provide transportation options for everyone.
A motion was made by Ms. Aufranc of Wellesley: To adopt option #3 with the change to charge a $2 or lower fee, for MicroTransit.
Mr. Kezer: Move forward with #3 and discuss more in September what discount we can apply to fares for particular segments and for how long we want to apply it.
An amendment to the motion by Ms. Aufranc: Recommend to approve Fare #3 with amendment to have latitude on MicroTransit fare amount and revisit at the Board’s Fall meeting prior to implementation.
Second by Mr. Kezer of Framingham. The vote was unanimous.
Mr. Jacobs: Can we keep a cash option? Mr. Carr: Yes.
Mr. Glynn, presented the revised FY21 Operating Budget for Board approval, which is in line with the actuals. In FY21, the overall expenses decreased as a result of the COVID pandemic. The MWRTA operates on a break-even basis.
Ms. Aufranc: Explain the timing of the budget with the auditor. Mr. Nolan stated that in June there is a much better estimate of that fiscal year’s actuals.
Mr. Carr: The reasoning we do this is because sometimes we do not know what the state numbers will be. They may come in July, or as late as September, which can make it difficult when creating the budget.
A motion was made by Mr. Burman of Ashland: To accept the revised FY21 operating budget as presented.
Mr. Glynn, presented the proposed FY22 Operating Budget. This budget is based principally on the best estimate of hours of service for the services MWRTA provides.
On the revenue side, the fare issue is in play. If we were to collect fares beginning on October 1st based on FY19 figures, we would collect ~$438k in fares. Other items consist of vehicle repairs for nonprofits., fuel tax rebates, Mass Bay Shuttle income. Also, FCRS parking will start up on October 1st.
Total Expenses are estimated at $11.7M Projected Net Cost of Service is estimated at $8.012M.
Legislature has not yet voted on the Bill to fund the RTA’s, they are considering $90.5M + $3.5M. We have Discretionary Funds, CARES & CRSSA funds to back our budget.
Ms. Aufranc: Does MicroTransit amount include the pilots? Mr. Glynn: Yes.
Ms. Aufranc: What are the FCRS parking expenses? Mr. Glynn: MWRTA has operated the parking lot for the past 3 years, we are in partnership with MBTA (expenses include insurance, security, personnel, snow plowing). We will obtain funds from the MBTA if we do not receive it on parking fees. If the parking collection does not cover expenses, then the MBTA will cover it. We are currently in the process of renegotiating the MBTA lease contract this year.
Ms. Aufranc: Are Fixed Route expenses down due to COVID? Mr. Carr: Yes. We took commuter shuttles that were not being used and increased service to areas that needed it. Demand Response service was down due to the vulnerability of the rider population not using the service. The administration costs remained steady because we all still came to work every day.
A motion was made by Mr. Kezer of Framingham: To accept the FY22 operating budget as presented.
Second by Ms. Aufranc of Wellesley. The vote was unanimous.
Mr. Carr discussed the need for additional drivers. This is an Amendment to the original contract with our service provider (which is over $500,000). We currently pay Demand Response Drivers $16/hour. This agreement states that the contractor provides the driver with an additional amount of $1, and MWRTA will match that amount with a $1. The service is critical, it involves a lot of training, and sensitivity. We received a signature this morning of acceptance from the service provider to match the raise to the drivers.
Ms. Aufranc: Will this amount be sufficient? Mr. Carr: We believe it is. The contractor is also including a $500 bonus to those who are hired.
Mr. Nolan: Does this impact Fixed Route? Mr. Carr: No, Fixed Route is unionized, and Demand Response is non-union. I do not anticipate any issues.
A motion was made by Mr. Burman of Ashland: To approve the 2020 Demand Response Contract Amendment as presented. Second by Ms. Aufranc of Wellesley. The vote was unanimous.
Under Section 2.2 of the MWRTA By-Laws, the Advisory Board shall hold an election of officers annually at the last regularly scheduled Board meeting of the fiscal year. The Chair noted that this was the last meeting of FY21 and offered that the incumbent slate of officers have agreed to continue for another term.
Ms. Lasky: Did Ms. Galloway agree to this position?
A motion made by Mr. Kezer of Framingham: To approve the Board reorganization with the current slate of officers: Mr. Nolan as Chair, Ed Burman as Vice Chair, and Deb Galloway as Clerk. Second by Ms.
Aufranc of Wellesley: The vote was unanimous. Ms. Lasky of Sudbury abstained.
Ms. Aufranc discussed the potential to form and sit on a finance subcommittee to review financial matters. In order to perform due diligence as a board member Ms. Aufranc feels that this subcommittee could review and report to the Board on the following matters:
1) Receive reports from the Auditors;
2) Review budget analysis;
3) Work toward mobility, environmental sustainability, getting people out of their cars to have an effect on the environment (GHG), what are we spending and how can we improve the air quality?
Mr. Moynihan stated that the committee is already established under the MWRTA by-laws. This would be a reconstitution of the Finance and Audit Committee, which is charged with reviewing the periodic financial reports of the Authority and considering other financial and budgetary matters as requested by the Chair. At least two members would be appointed by the Chair.
Mr. Kezer also volunteered to serve on the committee. Mr. Nolan will make the appointments at the next meeting of the Board.
Mr. Burman: Thanked MWRTA for assisting to get a local family together within the communities of Ashland, Natick and Framingham. Prior to using the MWTA demand response services, they were paying a chair company $250 each way to transport their family member who is disabled.
Mr. Carr indicated the next meeting date is to be determined and will hinge on the schedule of Senate President Spilka to present at the planned September Advisory Board all day retreat. Mr. Nolan noted there is an Annual MARTA Meeting on September 21st.
A motion was made by Mr. Burman of Ashland: To adjourn the meeting. Second Mr. Kezer of Framingham: The vote was unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 12:29 pm.
The undersigned being the duly qualified acting clerk of the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority Advisory Board acknowledges that the foregoing minutes accurately reflect the actions taken at a legally convened meeting of the Advisory Board held on June 28, 2021.
Debra Galloway of Sudbury, Clerk
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